According to Airbus Helicopters CEO in Japan Jean-Luc Alfonsi, the H225 helicopter is the perfect choice because of its flexibility, allowing it to perform coastal and island missions in all weather conditions.
In December 2023, Japan’s H225 fleet was supplemented by 3 more aircraft and most recently in February, the fleet was increased by 1 helicopter.
The H225 Super Puma is a twin-engine helicopter that can carry 24 passengers. The helicopter is equipped with a Turbomeca Makila 2A1 engine, reaching a maximum speed of 275km/h within a range of 857km.
Currently, 12 countries around the world are exploiting H225 helicopters for military purposes, including Hungary, Singapore and Indonesia.
* MBDA upgrades Aster 15 surface-to-air missile
According to Meta Defense, European company MBDA is preparing to introduce Aster 15 EC, an upgraded version of the short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile Aster 15, with a range doubled compared to its predecessor, reduced minimum approach distance, thereby enhancing both long-range attack and close-range defense capabilities.
The Aster 15 missile was first used on the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in 2001, marking the birth of Europe’s vertically launched surface-to-air missile.
The Aster 15 missile has a range of 30km while the Aster 30 missile has a range of 120km. Photo: MBDA
The Aster missile has two models: the short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile Aster 15 and the long-range surface-to-air missile Aster 30. Both models have identical missile bodies, but the Aster 30 uses propulsion larger to increase range and speed. Aster 15 is 4.2m long and weighs 310kg while Aster 30 weighs 450kg and is less than 5m long. Due to its larger size, the Aster 30 uses the Sylver A50 or A70 vertical launch system (VLS), although it is also compatible with the US VLS Mark 41. Aster 15 has a range of 30km while Aster 30’s range is 4 times that of Aster 15.
Developed as part of a family of missiles initiated by France and Italy in the 1990s, the Aster 15 is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 3 and is especially capable of intercepting fast-moving and maneuverable targets, including including low flying targets. Equipped with an active radar search system, the Aster 15 can automatically track stealth targets, allowing multiple missiles to be launched at the same time.
The development of the Aster 15 EC missile is an important part of the initiative to modernize the four Horizon-class air defense destroyers of France and Italy.
The Aster missile was effectively exploited in late 2023 when the French Navy’s Languedoc and Alsace destroyers shot down drones and missiles of Houthi forces in the Red Sea. Aster 30 missiles are also used in the SAMP/T ground air defense system supplied to Ukraine.
MAI HUONG (Synthetic)
